This page will be where I will list what I consider to be ‘schooling essentials’; bits and bobs that I just NEED (or I like to believe that I need!) and things that make life just that little bit easier. Inshaa`Allaah please feel free to list your essentials too – I’ll probably forget to mention some.
~ Umm Junayd.
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1. Books – fiction books, non-fiction books, colouring books, Arabic books, alphabet books, number books, colour books, shape books – You get the drift now, huh?
2. Paper – mostly plain paper, but lined paper’s good too. I guess card would come under this too? Well, okay… card of EVERY colour in A4 and A3. [my local printers help to cut them into precise smaller sizes for me mashaa`Allaah].
3. Pens and pencils – colouring pencils and crayons too!
4. Arty crafty stuff – pipe cleaners, glitter paper, glue sticks, PVA glue, paper plates, children’s scissors, tissue paper, paint, paintbrushes and the list goes on.
5. Flashcard – I’ve got store-bought ones, but I’ve also made some too mashaa`Allaah.
6. My newfound essential: Sticky-back plastic. I actually don’t know what it’s called really, but that’s what we used to use at school to cover our exercise books.
7. Magazine holders & clear boxes: I use these to hold bits and bobs. They keep the room looking organised. Well… kind of!
and last but not least: Computer & Printer! Oh my, what would schooling be like without these?
Schooling & Home 
Here are more books/items that I consider essential in our homeschool (in addition to what you have noted):
*Books: Stories of the Prophets (series), Islamic fiction reading, World History books, an atlas, children’s dictionary, math literature (for younger kids, Stuart Murphy’s MathStart Readers are great), science readers, science project books that kids can look through and choose ideas from
*Science supplies: magnifying lenses, magnets, stethescope, gardening supplies, rock collections, a few good experiment books (can find these for all ages), HarunYahya’s books for kids – great application of Quran on animals for kids
*Math manipulatives: an abacus, geoboards, geared clocks, play money, tangrams, pentominos, pattern blocks, a bucket scale, rulers, a calculator (yes, even for young kids)
*Educational games: ie..Junior Quran Challenge, Tangrams, Dino Math Tracks, Fraction Challenge, Alphabet Bingo, Mighty Mind Smart Cubes, Junior Scrabble… so many… Kids learn very well through games.
*A few miscellaneous suggestions: a globe (we use ours often!), maps, stickers, markers, stencils, legos or other building toys, dress up clothes for creative play (i.e. we have firemen and doctors items), a marker board and dry erase markers (my son does much better here than with paper and pencil)
Enjoy the journey Allah has sent you on…. Assalaamu `alaikum, Rebecca, mother of Ilyas and Yousuf
Mashaa`Allaah, that’s quite a list! Jazaakillaahu khairan for commenting
I agree with Rebecca, our white board and markers are a wonderful assett, in fact I did a whole post about how I think it’s “A Homeschooling Necessity”
Another game my pre-readers loved for spelling/reading practice was Boggle Junior…simple 3 and 4 letter words with a colorful picture…
I enjoyed reading your list, and may God bless your homeschooling!
As Salaamu Alaikum,
I would recommend puzzles, to top it off, for problem solving and thought process working insha Allah. They work well throught he different age groups and can cover all subjects aswell. (math, science, english, geography… you get the drift) Dominoes are also a fun way for children to get to grips with numbers at an early age, masha Allah. So another game to add to your list!
Laminator is my new one, though not loved by Abu J.
salam Alaikum
Could you please advise me of any Arabic story books for early readers?
Something I have been meaning to buy is….Hmm don’t know the name. Velcro that sticks to paper so you can re-sticking things. Also I heard that there is this paper that is like the material you use for a white board and it can be stuck on the wall. Please if anyone knows what I’m taking about do let me know Lol!
Sticky-backed Velcro is great! As for the material that’s like whiteboard material, wpulsbit have a magnetic backing?